Emancipation Day

Category: History
Emancipation Day around the world in 2026

About Emancipation Day

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Emancipation Day .
Dates of Emancipation Day
2026 InternationalAug 1
International Sat, Aug 1Observances Holiday
2025 InternationalAug 1
International Fri, Aug 1Observances Holiday
2024 InternationalAug 1
International Thu, Aug 1Observances Holiday
2023 InternationalAug 1
International Tue, Aug 1Observances Holiday
2022 InternationalAug 1
International Mon, Aug 1Observances Holiday
Summary
Marks the end of Slavery across the British Empire on August 1st 1834

History of Emancipation Day

The British like other colonial powers had allowed the widespread practice of slavery to take place during the time of expansion to the new world. In 1772, the ruling in the case of Somerset v Stewart determined that slavery was unsupported by the common law in England and Wales. While the ruling was not clear on the situation in other parts of the Empire, this case was seen as a key turning point in the change towards emancipation.

Slavery was finally abolished throughout the British Empire by the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which came into effect on August 1st 1834. The territories controlled at that time by the East India Company, Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) and St. Helen's were excluded. Slavery was not abolished in these regions until 1843.

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